Commencement

“Go forward, attempt great things, accomplish great things”

— Mary Lyon, Founder of Mount Holyoke College

Commencement is a treasured ceremonial occasion that celebrates students who have graduated from Mount Holyoke College after completing all academic requirements and obligations. Typically, Mount Holyoke holds one annual Commencement in May to honor all graduates.

It’s time to celebrate your accomplishments

Class of 2021 Degree Recipients and Awards and Honors
Download the Order of Exercises
Watch a replay of the virtual Commencement >
Masked graduates of 2021 celebrate under Mount Holyoke's iconic gates.

Congratulations, Class of 2021!

New Mount Holyoke graduates toss their caps into the air in celebration under Mount Holyoke's iconic gates.
Students in masks and regalia sitting 6 feet apart in Abbey Chapel.

A Baccalaureate event unlike any other

This year’s Baccalaureate at Mount Holyoke College was livestreamed for the first time in its history, due to COVID-19.
This is an image of a digital slide from the cording ceremony that reads, "To our bold, brilliant, and beloved seniors- congratulations! We are so proud of you! #FearlessFirst."

Cording Ceremony 2021

The Cording Ceremony at Mount Holyoke is a signature event for low-income and first-generation students in recognition of their unique accomplishments.
Photo of stoles made of boldly colored kente cloth

Honoring students of color and their mentors

Mount Holyoke’s Stoling Ceremony this year was both virtual and in person, the better to honor faculty and staff who support students of color.
This is a side-by-side image. On the left, rainbow-colored block letters read, "Diverse, Inclusive, Accepting, Welcoming Safe Space For Everyone. We stand together." On the right, a hand holds a lavender tassel, lavender sprig and a rainbow flag.

Lavender Ceremony 2021

Now in its fifth year at Mount Holyoke College, the Lavender Ceremony is a celebratory rite of passage for the LGBTQ community.
Yo-Yo Ma, Chloé Zhao ’05 and Rabiya Javeri-Agha ’83 are reshaping the world and are exemplars of founder Mary Lyon’s dictum to “go forward, attempt great things, accomplish great things.”

Class of 2021 honorary degree recipients

Mount Holyoke College has announced the three trailblazing honorary degree recipients who will join its 2021 Commencement.
A collage of senior portratis

Meet the class of 2021

Congratulations and best wishes to the members of the class of 2021, some of whom have shared their stories.
A white griffin on a green background with the words: Mount Holyoke College Class of 2021

Digital goodies

Celebrate the day with Instagram filters, Facebook frames and more!